We are thrilled to introduce Zeinab El Darwich, the newest addition to our Canadian Horizons team at RISEC Community Foundation, serving as a Magazine Content Writer specializing in settlement topics. Zeinab brings a wealth of experience and a diverse skill set that will undoubtedly enrich our content and support our mission of helping newcomers integrate seamlessly into Canadian society.

Zeinab’s professional journey is marked by her unwavering commitment to social work and community development. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Haigazian University in Beirut, Lebanon, where she was a Merit Scholarship Recipient. Her academic background has provided her with a strong foundation in social work principles and practices, equipping her with the knowledge and skills necessary to address the complex needs of newcomers.

Zeinab’s extensive experience spans various roles and organizations, demonstrating her versatility and dedication to making a positive impact. In Montreal, she served as a Youth Mentor at Camp Lift, where she developed individualized plans for at-risk youth, providing them with guidance, support, and encouragement. Her work involved conducting assessments to identify underlying issues and educating youth through workshops within the English Montreal School Board.

Her role as a Customer Service Representative at Voxdata showcased her excellent communication and problem-solving skills. Zeinab adeptly handled customer inquiries, provided accurate information, and resolved complaints efficiently, ensuring a high level of customer satisfaction.

Zeinab’s experience extends beyond Canada. In Beirut, she worked as a Social Worker with Proud Lebanon, engaging in individual, group, and community work. Her responsibilities included case management, event organizing, advocacy, and awareness activism. Additionally, she has experience in social media management, having managed daily operations for LiveFX Exchange’s social media accounts.

Her volunteer work with NISA Homes, Cause Effect NGO, and Makhzoumi NGO/UNHCR highlights her commitment to supporting vulnerable populations. At NISA Homes, she completed various OAITH and CRTI trainings, equipping her with specialized knowledge in areas such as risk assessment, safety planning, and trauma-informed care. Her outreach and tutoring efforts for children working on the streets in Beirut underscore her dedication to education and social welfare.

Zeinab’s diverse skill set is further enhanced by her certifications in Youth Addiction Training, Emergency First Aid, Psychological First Aid, Interagency Child Protection, Coaching, and Trauma-Informed Care. Her proficiency in leadership, creativity, innovation, adaptability, flexibility, writing, conflict resolution, and effective communication will be invaluable to our team.

Fluent in both English and Arabic, Zeinab’s linguistic abilities will enable her to connect with a broader audience and convey the unique challenges and opportunities faced by newcomers.

We are excited to have Zeinab join our team and look forward to her contributions in creating impactful content that supports the settlement journey of newcomers in Canada. Welcome, Zeinab!